Harvard University President Claudine Gay Resigns Amid Plagiarism Accusations
Harvard University President Claudine Gay has announced her resignation following new accusations of plagiarism. Gay, the university’s first Black president, stepped down just six months after being appointed. In a letter posted on Harvard’s website, Gay expressed her love for the institution but stated that it is in the best interests of Harvard for her to resign. The university’s governing board has named Alan M. Garber, the provost and chief academic officer, as interim president.
Plagiarism Accusations and Controversial Congressional Hearing
Gay’s departure comes after facing scrutiny over allegations of plagiarizing parts of her published works. Additionally, her appearance before Congress in December was met with criticism. During the hearing, Gay, along with the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and MIT, struggled to provide clear answers regarding their policies on students advocating genocide against Jews. While Penn’s president resigned after the testimony, Harvard initially rejected calls for Gay’s removal.
Interim President and Acknowledgement of Missteps
Alan M. Garber has been appointed as interim president until a new leader is chosen. The Harvard Corporation, in a statement, thanked Gay for her commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence. They acknowledged that she has taken responsibility for her missteps and shown resilience in the face of personal attacks. On July 1, Gay became the 30th president of Harvard and the second woman to hold the position.